Just like giant trees in forest, the giant kelp can grow to be over 100ft tall. And just like in forests on land, the canopy of a kelp forest is full of light, and life.
Kelp canopy biomass
A figure showing trends in the total mass of giant kelp from 1984 - 2015, using the sea surface area covered by kelp as an indicator of kelp mass. Figure credit: R. Miller/UCSB.
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1984 to 2015 giant kelp biomass aerial extent varies seasonally and annually, with data showing high variation over three decades; however, recent data suggests kelp biomass as is near an all time low. For more information, consult Figure App.E.10.13 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.`
Kelp density by island (CINP data)
A figure showing the density of giant kelp across all five Sanctuary islands from 2005 to 2016. Figure credit: Channel Islands National Park.
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Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) density from 2005 to 2016 at all five sanctuary islands as counted by the national park subtidal surveys. Kelp density is currently at extreme lows for the three western islands, but the warmer islands (Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands) have recently experienced sharp increases in kelp density. For more information, consult Figure App.E.10.14 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.`